VEB economist ups prediction for Russian inflation

VEB chief economist Andrei Klepach

Russian inflation will hit 13% by the year end instead of the previous forecast of 12%, Vnesheconombank chief economist Andrei Klepach told Interfax this week. His prediction assumes a 4.7% decline in the country’s economy with oil prices averaging $50 per barrel.  
Klepach’s  forecast is at odds with that of the Ministry of Economic Development (where he used to work) which last month predicted a fall in GDP of 3.3% for 2015 and consumer price inflation levelling out at just over 11% by December; the Ministry warned, however,  that any further weakening  of the rouble could  result in an acceleration in the rate of inflation. 

 
Source: Lenta